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Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery #14
Jane Austen's Lost Letters
Jane K. Cleland returns with Jane Austen's Lost Letters , the fourteenth installment in the beloved Josie Prescott Antiques series, set on the rugged New Hampshire coast.
Antiques appraiser Josie Prescott is in the midst of filming a segment for her new television show, Josie’s Antiques, when the assistant director interrupts to let her know she has a visitor. Josie reluctantly pauses production and goes outside, where she finds an elegant older woman waiting to see her.
Veronica Sutton introduces herself as an old friend of Josie’s father, who had died twenty years earlier. Veronica seems fidgety, and after only a few minutes, hands Josie a brown paper-wrapped package, about the size of a shoebox, and leaves.
Mystified, Josie opens the package, and gasps when she sees what’s a notecard bearing her name―in her father’s handwriting―and a green leather box. Inside the box are two letters in transparent plastic sleeves. The first bears the salutation, “My dear Cassandra,” the latter, “Dearest Fanny.” Both are signed “Jane Austen.” Could her father have really accidentally found two previously unknown letters by one of the world’s most beloved authors―Jane Austen? Reeling, Josie tries to track down Veronica, but the woman has vanished without a trace.
Josie sets off on the quest of a lifetime to learn what Veronica knows about her father and to discover whether the Jane Austen letters are real. As she draws close to the truth, she finds herself in danger, and learns that some people will do anything to keep a secret―even kill.
Antiques appraiser Josie Prescott is in the midst of filming a segment for her new television show, Josie’s Antiques, when the assistant director interrupts to let her know she has a visitor. Josie reluctantly pauses production and goes outside, where she finds an elegant older woman waiting to see her.
Veronica Sutton introduces herself as an old friend of Josie’s father, who had died twenty years earlier. Veronica seems fidgety, and after only a few minutes, hands Josie a brown paper-wrapped package, about the size of a shoebox, and leaves.
Mystified, Josie opens the package, and gasps when she sees what’s a notecard bearing her name―in her father’s handwriting―and a green leather box. Inside the box are two letters in transparent plastic sleeves. The first bears the salutation, “My dear Cassandra,” the latter, “Dearest Fanny.” Both are signed “Jane Austen.” Could her father have really accidentally found two previously unknown letters by one of the world’s most beloved authors―Jane Austen? Reeling, Josie tries to track down Veronica, but the woman has vanished without a trace.
Josie sets off on the quest of a lifetime to learn what Veronica knows about her father and to discover whether the Jane Austen letters are real. As she draws close to the truth, she finds herself in danger, and learns that some people will do anything to keep a secret―even kill.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published December 14, 2021
25 people are currently reading
3791 people want to read
About the author
Jane K. Cleland
32 books354 followersJane K. Cleland writes the multiple award-winning and bestselling Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries. Her short stories are published by Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. She’s also written the bestselling and Agatha Award-winning how-to books,
Mastering Plot Twists
and
Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot
, both from Writer’s Digest Books.
Her latest release is the craft of writing book, Beat the Bots: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI from Regalo Press.
In addition, Jane presents a free monthly webinar series on the craft of writing as well as the Mystery Mastermind series—her small-group virtual writing workshops. She is also a Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest Magazine, chairs the Wolfe Pack’s Black Orchid Novella Award, in partnership with AHMM, and is the Vice President of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America.
Jane has an MFA (in professional and creative writing) and an MBA (in marketing and management). Jane is a lecturer at Lehman College where she is also the director of the Program for Professional Communications, and a frequent workshop facilitator and guest author at writing conferences and university programs.
For more on Jane, visit www.janecleland.com.
Her latest release is the craft of writing book, Beat the Bots: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI from Regalo Press.
In addition, Jane presents a free monthly webinar series on the craft of writing as well as the Mystery Mastermind series—her small-group virtual writing workshops. She is also a Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest Magazine, chairs the Wolfe Pack’s Black Orchid Novella Award, in partnership with AHMM, and is the Vice President of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America.
Jane has an MFA (in professional and creative writing) and an MBA (in marketing and management). Jane is a lecturer at Lehman College where she is also the director of the Program for Professional Communications, and a frequent workshop facilitator and guest author at writing conferences and university programs.
For more on Jane, visit www.janecleland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
December 14, 2021
Outside of a long lost manuscript, the discovery of unknown Jane Austen letters is enough to set every Jane Austen fan into a tizzy. Hence, I was primed with excitement when I spotted this latest Jane K. Cleland title in her popular Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series. Not having read the previous series installments, I was a tad wary of starting with this one, but Jane Austen’s Lost Letters turned out to be a cozy, entertaining installment that stood alone just fine.
Antique shop owner and local TV personality, Josie Prescott, is in the middle of filming a segment for Josie’s Antiques on site in New Hampshire at her antique shop. She has invited two manuscript and autograph authenticators for this segment to share their findings on a signed first edition Beatrix Potter book. Both specialists are known locally, Oliver Crenshaw, a rare books bookshop owner and Dr. Gloria Moreau from the university. Oliver’s mother is his guest and Gloria’s assistant Ivan is hers. The first day’s show is going well and Josie hit it off with both as they describe their processes and findings on the antique book.
Then, during a pause in the shooting, Josie is told someone needs to leave her a message. She meets a mysterious woman who claims to have known her dad well and the woman gives Josie a package before swiftly leaving. Josie thought she knew all of her late dad’s friends and acquaintances, but gets an odd vibe from this meeting. She hesitates and then opens the package to find art of her father’s, a photo of him and this Veronica Sutton, and two letters signed by Jane Austen.
The mystery of the letters and Veronica’s tie to Josie’s dad in the past have a great deal of her attention and concern, but then the next day of filming, one of her professional guests, Gloria, is found murdered behind Josie’s business after a stranger was seen on the property. Meetings with the police chief who knows Josie’s prowess at crime solving lead Josie to realizing that the stranger must be joined on the suspect list by Oliver and his overbearing mother when their pasts come to light. Then another murder happens and someone takes pot shots at Josie. She needs the answers to both mysteries before she becomes victim number three.
It took me some time to develop a taste for the cozy mystery genre and I’m still rather finicky, but I’ve come to appreciate them. For instance, I love the idyllic settings and situations of the prime character. In this case, a pretty New Hampshire coastal town in the fall, the antiques’ shop where she works, a fabulous husband and beach house she shares with him, and oh yes, discovering potential long lost Jane Austen letters. To this, I need to add that I discovered the author is an Austen fan so gets just how exciting this would be.
Josie was a likeable lead character, she has some educated guesses and even packs her own gun and knows how to use it, but she works with law enforcement and doesn’t try to suppress or take over the investigation. I suppose it helps that she is an important consultant to the police force now that there are thirteen successful mysteries solved prior to this one.
The mystery with the letters and the murders was what got my attention the most. I loved all the descriptions of the authentication process for the books and letters and the antique world in general. I think if I had read the series in order then I might have been more vested in her personal mystery about her dad though not to say that I didn’t like this storyline because it was engaging, too. There was a small pool of suspects for the murder mystery and they had pretty much the same opportunities and motives. I had no idea who did it, but I had a pretty good idea of the why. I even had an inkling about the family mystery, too. I enjoyed getting to the solution though it definitely took me by surprise.
I probably should point out that if new readers to the series spot this one by the title and the blurb and think that there will be a strong Austen focus, well… not really. The process of authentication of the letters does happen, but the focus is the case itself and the mystery about Josie’s dad and Veronica and not Jane Austen.
All in all, it was a solid cozy mystery and the series seems to be holding strong through fourteen books now. I loved the location and setting and Josie was a likeable lead character. I would definitely recommend this book and trying the series out if you are a cozy mystery fan who loves historical artifacts and antiques.
I rec'd an eARC through Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
Antique shop owner and local TV personality, Josie Prescott, is in the middle of filming a segment for Josie’s Antiques on site in New Hampshire at her antique shop. She has invited two manuscript and autograph authenticators for this segment to share their findings on a signed first edition Beatrix Potter book. Both specialists are known locally, Oliver Crenshaw, a rare books bookshop owner and Dr. Gloria Moreau from the university. Oliver’s mother is his guest and Gloria’s assistant Ivan is hers. The first day’s show is going well and Josie hit it off with both as they describe their processes and findings on the antique book.
Then, during a pause in the shooting, Josie is told someone needs to leave her a message. She meets a mysterious woman who claims to have known her dad well and the woman gives Josie a package before swiftly leaving. Josie thought she knew all of her late dad’s friends and acquaintances, but gets an odd vibe from this meeting. She hesitates and then opens the package to find art of her father’s, a photo of him and this Veronica Sutton, and two letters signed by Jane Austen.
The mystery of the letters and Veronica’s tie to Josie’s dad in the past have a great deal of her attention and concern, but then the next day of filming, one of her professional guests, Gloria, is found murdered behind Josie’s business after a stranger was seen on the property. Meetings with the police chief who knows Josie’s prowess at crime solving lead Josie to realizing that the stranger must be joined on the suspect list by Oliver and his overbearing mother when their pasts come to light. Then another murder happens and someone takes pot shots at Josie. She needs the answers to both mysteries before she becomes victim number three.
It took me some time to develop a taste for the cozy mystery genre and I’m still rather finicky, but I’ve come to appreciate them. For instance, I love the idyllic settings and situations of the prime character. In this case, a pretty New Hampshire coastal town in the fall, the antiques’ shop where she works, a fabulous husband and beach house she shares with him, and oh yes, discovering potential long lost Jane Austen letters. To this, I need to add that I discovered the author is an Austen fan so gets just how exciting this would be.
Josie was a likeable lead character, she has some educated guesses and even packs her own gun and knows how to use it, but she works with law enforcement and doesn’t try to suppress or take over the investigation. I suppose it helps that she is an important consultant to the police force now that there are thirteen successful mysteries solved prior to this one.
The mystery with the letters and the murders was what got my attention the most. I loved all the descriptions of the authentication process for the books and letters and the antique world in general. I think if I had read the series in order then I might have been more vested in her personal mystery about her dad though not to say that I didn’t like this storyline because it was engaging, too. There was a small pool of suspects for the murder mystery and they had pretty much the same opportunities and motives. I had no idea who did it, but I had a pretty good idea of the why. I even had an inkling about the family mystery, too. I enjoyed getting to the solution though it definitely took me by surprise.
I probably should point out that if new readers to the series spot this one by the title and the blurb and think that there will be a strong Austen focus, well… not really. The process of authentication of the letters does happen, but the focus is the case itself and the mystery about Josie’s dad and Veronica and not Jane Austen.
All in all, it was a solid cozy mystery and the series seems to be holding strong through fourteen books now. I loved the location and setting and Josie was a likeable lead character. I would definitely recommend this book and trying the series out if you are a cozy mystery fan who loves historical artifacts and antiques.
I rec'd an eARC through Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2021
I have read and love this series from the beginning. I so enjoyed Jane Austin's Lost Letters, number 13 in the series. Josie runs Prescott's Antiques and Auctions along with her staff.in the town of Rocky Point, NH. The addition of the new characters adds to the suspense. . Jane Austen's Lost Letters really has two parts to it. The first is the taping of her TV series Josie's Antiques where she brings prominent guests on with different subjects. This program is talking about the book Peter Rabbit. She brings in two consultants Oliver Crenshaw of Oliver Crenshaw's Rare Books, Prints and Autographs which he runs with his mother, Roxy. The other is Gloria Moreau, a Professor of Archival Studies at Hichens University and her graduate assistant. Ivan Filbert. The story picks up pace when Gloria is killed behind Josie's business and later when Ivan is murdered at the university. Josie and police chief, Ellis Hunter try to put together why they were murdered and by whom. The second part is when a woman, Victoria Sutton brings her a package saying she was a friend of her fathers and abruptly leaves. The package contains two letters from Jane Austin and a picture of her and her father when she was younger. Josie goes on an adventure to find this woman and to find out more about the relationship with her father. There are a lot of surprises for her along the way.
I am really looking forward to the next in the series with Josie, her staff at Prescott's and her husband, Ty. I am hoping that there is more of her relationship with her half brother, Ryan Sutton.
Thank you NetGalley, Minataur Books and St. Martin's Publishing Group for this ARC.
I am really looking forward to the next in the series with Josie, her staff at Prescott's and her husband, Ty. I am hoping that there is more of her relationship with her half brother, Ryan Sutton.
Thank you NetGalley, Minataur Books and St. Martin's Publishing Group for this ARC.
July 14, 2021
I haven't read any of the other books in this series or anything by the author before... Having said that, I think the author did a good job with data collection for this book which results in a very entertaining and well written book with likeable characters and mysteries.
January 9, 2022
I've been a fan of this series from the beginning with it's combination of characters, plot and interesting information about antiques and authentication processes. And this is my favorite of the series. Josie Prescott owns a thriving antiques business and a hosts television show. At the filming of the latest show, her two guests discuss their processes for the authentication of archival letters and copies. When one of the guests is murdered before the second day of shooting, Josie gets involved in the investigation, especially as an expert. Concurrently, a mysterious woman gives her a box containing mementos from her father who died on September 11. Twenty years later. Even after Josie finds two Jane Austen letters in the package, the woman refuses to give her any information on their provenance or of her relationship with Josie's father. Eventually the authentication of the letters and murder investigation coalesce. The personal threads in the story are interesting and impactful leading to new directions in future books. Highly recommended but you might enjoy it even more if you read a few earlier books for the story and characters growth.
November 28, 2021
A mysterious woman, claiming to be a friend of Josie’s father, shows up at Prescott’s Antiques and Auctions, hands Josie a brown paper wrapped package and nervously leaves. Inside is a leather box with a note in Josie’s father’s handwriting. When she opens the box, she discovers two letters in transparent plastic sleeves…both are signed “Jane Austen.” Unable to track down the lady, Josie sets off to uncover what this mysterious gift-giver knows about her father and if the letters are authentic. Unfortunately, as she gets close to uncovering the truth, she realizes she’s in danger.
Unaware it was the 14th installment in the Josie Prescott Antiques series, I could still appreciate this book as a ‘standalone’. The first thing I noticed was that there’s no doubt that Jane Cleland’s mother read “Pride and Prejudice” to her in the womb – this book is clearly written by a devotee and true-believer of all things Jane Austen. Next, I was swept away with the forgeries and murders and felt like I was on the set of ‘Antiques Roadshow’ as items were authenticated! I smiled when I read that the item in question was a first edition of Beatrix Potter’s ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ as only a book lover would get so involved. The avid learner in me was spellbound reading about the handwriting analysis. I did love the cozy mystery and found myself giggling at the ‘old-fashioned’ vocabulary and Josie’s relaxed rapport with the local police.
Cleland highlights the modern dilemma – privacy and gun ownership. This would make this a good book for book clubs as there is lots to discuss.
As you turn the last page, you’ll believe it conceivable that more of Jane Austen’s letters could be found as she was a prolific letter-writer. You’ll also have your own idea about what became of the multitude of Jane Austen letters that are missing.
Publishes December 14, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Jane K. Cleland, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Unaware it was the 14th installment in the Josie Prescott Antiques series, I could still appreciate this book as a ‘standalone’. The first thing I noticed was that there’s no doubt that Jane Cleland’s mother read “Pride and Prejudice” to her in the womb – this book is clearly written by a devotee and true-believer of all things Jane Austen. Next, I was swept away with the forgeries and murders and felt like I was on the set of ‘Antiques Roadshow’ as items were authenticated! I smiled when I read that the item in question was a first edition of Beatrix Potter’s ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’ as only a book lover would get so involved. The avid learner in me was spellbound reading about the handwriting analysis. I did love the cozy mystery and found myself giggling at the ‘old-fashioned’ vocabulary and Josie’s relaxed rapport with the local police.
Cleland highlights the modern dilemma – privacy and gun ownership. This would make this a good book for book clubs as there is lots to discuss.
As you turn the last page, you’ll believe it conceivable that more of Jane Austen’s letters could be found as she was a prolific letter-writer. You’ll also have your own idea about what became of the multitude of Jane Austen letters that are missing.
Publishes December 14, 2021.
I was gifted this advance copy by Jane K. Cleland, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 30, 2021
I remember the first time I discovered Jane K. Cleland and her Josie Prescott series. I was at my local library, 3 children in tow, and I happened to glance at the shelf, and I saw Deadly Appraisal sitting on the shelf.
I was so excited to find a new book to read, and I immediately connected to Josie Prescott.
Fast forward at least 10 years, and I'm still just as excited when I see another new book in this series.
In this book, there's a lot going on, and Josie is still struggling with the death of her father, so many years later.
A mysterious woman, a strange package, and and the possibility of an amazing antique find are just a few things Josie is dealing with, and somehow it all connects to her father.
Josie is determined to find out who the mysterious woman is, going to extreme lengths that actually made me question her mental health. I'm not sure I liked the portrayal of Josie in this book, she seemed to be rude and kind of stand-offish, which surprised me. It certainly won't stop me from reading any future books, Josie will forever be a character in my heart (and on my bookshelf).
I was so excited to find a new book to read, and I immediately connected to Josie Prescott.
Fast forward at least 10 years, and I'm still just as excited when I see another new book in this series.
In this book, there's a lot going on, and Josie is still struggling with the death of her father, so many years later.
A mysterious woman, a strange package, and and the possibility of an amazing antique find are just a few things Josie is dealing with, and somehow it all connects to her father.
Josie is determined to find out who the mysterious woman is, going to extreme lengths that actually made me question her mental health. I'm not sure I liked the portrayal of Josie in this book, she seemed to be rude and kind of stand-offish, which surprised me. It certainly won't stop me from reading any future books, Josie will forever be a character in my heart (and on my bookshelf).
August 6, 2022
This book had been on my to-read list for several months, and I was very excited to finally read it. I was disappointed. The writing style did not work for me, and I couldn’t get into the story. The main character wasn’t likeable or relatable for me, either.
December 22, 2024
Fourteenth in the series, this is the first one I’ve read. I picked it up out of order only because the title included Jane Austen. With the exception of the letters, Jane Austen wasn’t mentioned much. Josie Prescott runs a variety of businesses that revolve around antiques. She is a master at multitasking as everything seems to be going on at once and she manages to stay on top of them while prioritizing what needs to be done first. She has a mysterious visit from someone who knew her father (who apparently died in one of the towers on 9/11). The visitor drops off a portfolio and promptly disappears. Meanwhile one of the experts on her upcoming TV series is murdered. Are the two connected? Josie reminds me of the PBS presenter Lucy Worsley delving deeper into the past.
November 24, 2021
Anything Jane Austen thrills me to the core so even the tiniest hint of the possibility of authentic letters written by her is exciting! Though fiction, Jane Austen's Lost Letters tugs at the dreamer in me. This is the fourteenth book in the series but my first. Can't wait to read the previous thirteen!
Josie Prescott appraises antiques (what a dream job!), hosts a television show called Josie's Antiques and is also an amateur sleuth. While she is working on her show, an unexpected visitor arrives and mysteriously hands her a box. The visitor, Veronica Sutton, is a friend of Josie's father who had died twenty years prior but she quickly leaves before Josie can question her. The box reveals stunning information and Josie knows she must find out more about Veronica in order to fit pieces together. A precious note from her dad from out of the blue catches her off guard. So do two letters signed by Jane Austen. Secrets swirl and murder results.
How refreshing that Josie is happily married! She and her husband Ty make a great partnership. Though film production has never particularly intrigued me, I did enjoy the technical bits here. The handwriting analysis segment is riveting. Characters have more than one dimension to them. The author has a splendid way with words and writes with wonderful intelligence and clarity.
Cozy mystery readers seeking something more fulfilling ought to read this..
My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book!
Josie Prescott appraises antiques (what a dream job!), hosts a television show called Josie's Antiques and is also an amateur sleuth. While she is working on her show, an unexpected visitor arrives and mysteriously hands her a box. The visitor, Veronica Sutton, is a friend of Josie's father who had died twenty years prior but she quickly leaves before Josie can question her. The box reveals stunning information and Josie knows she must find out more about Veronica in order to fit pieces together. A precious note from her dad from out of the blue catches her off guard. So do two letters signed by Jane Austen. Secrets swirl and murder results.
How refreshing that Josie is happily married! She and her husband Ty make a great partnership. Though film production has never particularly intrigued me, I did enjoy the technical bits here. The handwriting analysis segment is riveting. Characters have more than one dimension to them. The author has a splendid way with words and writes with wonderful intelligence and clarity.
Cozy mystery readers seeking something more fulfilling ought to read this..
My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating book!
July 26, 2021
I love a good mystery and was expecting so much more from a long running series like this. Unfortunately this was not to be the case for me this time around. The author apparently loves antiques and spends an inordinate amount of time describing them. I get what it is, please move on. Then over the use of saying that my grandmother would have said also annoyed me. I had t wonder if this wouldn’t have been a far better read without all the fluff.
While the story was decent, I had a hard time getting past the two glaring issues I noted and am disappointed as I would have loved to have found a series with a bunch of books on which I could binge my way through to catch up. Such is not the case here. Don’t let my views deter you, this may be one you really enjoy if you aren’t bothered by the same things as I am.
While the story was decent, I had a hard time getting past the two glaring issues I noted and am disappointed as I would have loved to have found a series with a bunch of books on which I could binge my way through to catch up. Such is not the case here. Don’t let my views deter you, this may be one you really enjoy if you aren’t bothered by the same things as I am.
March 9, 2022
October/New Hampshire
This involves finding someone who doesn't want to be found, lost letters, forgery, and murder. There is also a television show about antiques. The main character is hyper-focused on finding a woman who knew her father before he died. It wasn't enjoyable to read. I didn't like any part of the story that was related to that part of the story. The show part of the story was interesting, but it wasn't a big part of the story.
This involves finding someone who doesn't want to be found, lost letters, forgery, and murder. There is also a television show about antiques. The main character is hyper-focused on finding a woman who knew her father before he died. It wasn't enjoyable to read. I didn't like any part of the story that was related to that part of the story. The show part of the story was interesting, but it wasn't a big part of the story.
March 7, 2022
It was OK but interesting enough for 3 stars. The parts about filming a TV show and forging old letters were cool. Unfortunately the main characters were not likeable enough to me, the motivations for murder were weak, the constant descriptions of food and clothing were annoying.
October 24, 2021
Long ago in a village named St. Mary Meade lived a spinster named Miss Marple, who could, through her knowledge of human nature, solve crimes. Thanks to her status as an older lady who knitted and gardened, she was frequently overlooked and underestimated. This was an asset to Miss Marple. Fast forward to the present day. The slew of amateur female detectives at work in the form of the contemporary cozy novel are not overlooked (though many of them are starting over). They are strong women who in general run their own businesses and have successful relationships. It’s no longer an asset to be overlooked. In fact, one of the characters in Jane Cleland’s new book has “Be Bold” tattooed on her arm.
Now while the trappings of the detectives have changed, the brains have not. It still takes an astute and intrepid woman to get to the heart of a murder mystery, and Jane Cleland’s Josie Prescott has all of that going on. Josie is the owner of Prescott’s Antiques in New Hampshire, where she lives with her husband, Ty.
One of the things I like best about Cleland’s books is the Josie used her skills as an antique appraiser and expert to solve the crimes she encounters. In this novel, as the book opens, she’s filming an episode for her antiques centric TV show (sounds very much like the popular Antiques Roadshow), discussing the provenance and authenticity of a first edition of Peter Rabbit.
As the filming process proceeds, Josie forms the start of a friendship with one of the experts, Gloria. The two share a work ethic and an intelligence as well as a love of old books and documents that gives them a bond. Of course, Gloria is murdered, and Josie feels like she can hardly help but look into the matter as the body is discovered near her property.
Josie has also been distracted by the appearance of a stranger who leaves a box and drives off. When Josie opens it, she discovers not only that it’s from her father, who perished on September 11, but the portfolio of watercolor sketches inside also happens to contain two letters apparently signed by Jane Austen. Not only that, but the mystery woman has identified herself as a friend of her father’s, someone Josie knew nothing about. As she’d thought she and her father were close and had known everything about each other, it throws her off emotionally.
So Josie has several things on her plate – the murder of Gloria; the authenticity of the Jane Austen letters; and the fact that there’s a woman out there somewhere who knew her beloved father. Josie is distracted but determined, and the intelligence with which Cleland assembles her plot is practically golden age. There are clues, red herrings, and overlaying it all, the expertise of both Josie and the now deceased Gloria.
There’s some good detail about the antiques business, Jane Austen, authenticating documents and handwriting, and a pretty clear eyed look at the way used and rare bookstores are run. The story was compelling and engaging, and Josie is a wonderful central character. Though it’s a secondary character who has the “Be Bold” tattoo, Josie might consider getting one for herself. This is a wonderfully engaging series.
Now while the trappings of the detectives have changed, the brains have not. It still takes an astute and intrepid woman to get to the heart of a murder mystery, and Jane Cleland’s Josie Prescott has all of that going on. Josie is the owner of Prescott’s Antiques in New Hampshire, where she lives with her husband, Ty.
One of the things I like best about Cleland’s books is the Josie used her skills as an antique appraiser and expert to solve the crimes she encounters. In this novel, as the book opens, she’s filming an episode for her antiques centric TV show (sounds very much like the popular Antiques Roadshow), discussing the provenance and authenticity of a first edition of Peter Rabbit.
As the filming process proceeds, Josie forms the start of a friendship with one of the experts, Gloria. The two share a work ethic and an intelligence as well as a love of old books and documents that gives them a bond. Of course, Gloria is murdered, and Josie feels like she can hardly help but look into the matter as the body is discovered near her property.
Josie has also been distracted by the appearance of a stranger who leaves a box and drives off. When Josie opens it, she discovers not only that it’s from her father, who perished on September 11, but the portfolio of watercolor sketches inside also happens to contain two letters apparently signed by Jane Austen. Not only that, but the mystery woman has identified herself as a friend of her father’s, someone Josie knew nothing about. As she’d thought she and her father were close and had known everything about each other, it throws her off emotionally.
So Josie has several things on her plate – the murder of Gloria; the authenticity of the Jane Austen letters; and the fact that there’s a woman out there somewhere who knew her beloved father. Josie is distracted but determined, and the intelligence with which Cleland assembles her plot is practically golden age. There are clues, red herrings, and overlaying it all, the expertise of both Josie and the now deceased Gloria.
There’s some good detail about the antiques business, Jane Austen, authenticating documents and handwriting, and a pretty clear eyed look at the way used and rare bookstores are run. The story was compelling and engaging, and Josie is a wonderful central character. Though it’s a secondary character who has the “Be Bold” tattoo, Josie might consider getting one for herself. This is a wonderfully engaging series.
March 29, 2022
Really about a 3.5; I really like this series but this just wasn't the best entry in it. I always enjoy learning about antiques and collectibles, and this one had a good bit about document authentication. There wasn't a lot about Jane Austen-- some, but I guess because of the title I expected more. There was also a lot of personal stuff going on for Josie that made the plot seem more diffuse. There are changes in store and I'm certainly interested in seeing how those play out. Also, not enough of Hank the cat. The mystery plot was handled well but with so much else going on it didn't dominate for me. Also Josie-- practical, careful Josie-- did some pretty careless / impulsive things. But it's still a good series and I will be ready for the next one whenever it comes out!
January 16, 2022
In this story, Josie Prescott, the main character, is given something from her father who has been dead since 9/11. She is thrilled to receive the items but also upset it has taken so long to get them. At the same time she is shooting a segment for her tv show when two people involved are killed and then Josie is shot at. Throughout the story Josie is walking a tightrope of emotions and at times has trouble getting herself under control. The book was an easy read.
March 31, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Don't look for Jane Austenesque writing, because this is just your normal mystery book. It was the perfect book for a rainy spring break day.
I loved the settings and the characters. I almost didn't figure it out before the book ended, but I made it.
This one is going on the shelf to reread when I want something light and fun to read. I'm sure that I will pick up more on any further reading that I did on this first time through.
I loved the settings and the characters. I almost didn't figure it out before the book ended, but I made it.
This one is going on the shelf to reread when I want something light and fun to read. I'm sure that I will pick up more on any further reading that I did on this first time through.
February 9, 2025
This was a nice, neat cozy mystery, but it had very little to do with letters written by Jane Austen. I read this book for that reason. Luckily, I enjoy cozy mysteries, and this one was well done, so I wasn't too disappointed. But--for others, those who might be looking for something Austen-related, they should be prepared for a family drama/family mystery as opposed to a book that features a whole lot of Jane Austen-related content.
September 4, 2022
A cozy mystery! I liked the Jane Austen connection & getting to know about the authentication process of the antique world.
December 29, 2025
Cutesy read
January 5, 2026
Very complicated chain of events in this Josie's Antiques TV show. Some big surprises in business and personal affairs, too! It will be very interesting if there is another novel in this series.
November 10, 2021
Josie Prescott of Prescott's Antiques and the TV show Josie's Antiques is in the middle of filming when she is called to the front to meet a lady named Veronica Sutton who introduces herself as "a good friend of your father's" and hands her a wrapped package. She leaves without answering any of Josie's questions and there are many. Who is she? Why hadn't Josie heard of her before? Why did she keep the package until now when Josie's father died when the Twin Towers came down?
Josie is eager to learn more especially after she unwraps the package to find a note from her father and two previously unknown letters authored by Jane Austen. The letters, if authentic, would be blockbuster. Josie needs to find Veronica and learn more about how she knew Josie's father and about the provenance of the letters.
But it's back to work first. Josie is filming an episode which pits two experts against one another in authenticating a First Edition and autographed copy of Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The first expert is Oliver Crenshaw is the third generation owner of Crenshaw's Rare Books, Prints and Autographs. Josie has worked with him frequently. He has brought his mother Rory with him to the filming. The second expert is Dr. Gloria Moreau who is famous for her techniques for authenticating signatures. She brought her graduate assistant Ivan Filbert with her.
Filming goes pretty well. Josie is glad to meet Gloria and thinks they could become friends. But the next day, when the participants are supposed to meet again to clear up some problems with the audio recording, Gloria is late. No one can contact her. Josie finds her body when she is checking out the area around the building because of a strange man who was hanging out around the studio the day before.
Now, besides the mystery of Veronica Sutton and the Jane Austen letters, Josie is trying to discover who murdered Gloria and why. Things get even more complicated when Ivan is also murdered and someone takes some shots at Josie.
This story was filled with interwoven mysteries, secrets, and discoveries. I enjoyed the information about antiques especially the way written documents are authenticated. I enjoyed Josie's rapport with the local police and her role in helping to solve the murders using her own expertise.
This is the fourteenth book in a series, but the first one I have read. It stood alone quite well. While there were lots of characters, presumably accrued from earlier stories in the series, they were all introduced sufficiently and I wasn't confused about who fits where. I am eager now to read some of the earlier books in the series and get to learn more about Josie and her friends and business.
Josie is eager to learn more especially after she unwraps the package to find a note from her father and two previously unknown letters authored by Jane Austen. The letters, if authentic, would be blockbuster. Josie needs to find Veronica and learn more about how she knew Josie's father and about the provenance of the letters.
But it's back to work first. Josie is filming an episode which pits two experts against one another in authenticating a First Edition and autographed copy of Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The first expert is Oliver Crenshaw is the third generation owner of Crenshaw's Rare Books, Prints and Autographs. Josie has worked with him frequently. He has brought his mother Rory with him to the filming. The second expert is Dr. Gloria Moreau who is famous for her techniques for authenticating signatures. She brought her graduate assistant Ivan Filbert with her.
Filming goes pretty well. Josie is glad to meet Gloria and thinks they could become friends. But the next day, when the participants are supposed to meet again to clear up some problems with the audio recording, Gloria is late. No one can contact her. Josie finds her body when she is checking out the area around the building because of a strange man who was hanging out around the studio the day before.
Now, besides the mystery of Veronica Sutton and the Jane Austen letters, Josie is trying to discover who murdered Gloria and why. Things get even more complicated when Ivan is also murdered and someone takes some shots at Josie.
This story was filled with interwoven mysteries, secrets, and discoveries. I enjoyed the information about antiques especially the way written documents are authenticated. I enjoyed Josie's rapport with the local police and her role in helping to solve the murders using her own expertise.
This is the fourteenth book in a series, but the first one I have read. It stood alone quite well. While there were lots of characters, presumably accrued from earlier stories in the series, they were all introduced sufficiently and I wasn't confused about who fits where. I am eager now to read some of the earlier books in the series and get to learn more about Josie and her friends and business.
July 6, 2021
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of JANE AUSTEN’S LOST LETTERS (Book 14 of the Josie Prescott Antiques mysteries) by Jane K. Cleland in exchange for an honest review. Josie’s television show is going well. The crew is currently filming an episode on authenticating handwritten notes; specifically, the experts are evaluating such a note attributed to Beatrix Potter. Coincidentally, a mysterious woman shows up with something the woman says Josie’s father would like her to have; it’s two letters by Jane Austen. The show is nearly finished filming when someone begins killing the episode’s experts. Josie now has several mysteries; she has to find the mystery woman; she has to learn the woman’s connection to Josie’s father, Josie will have to learn about the Jane Austen letters, and Josie will have to identify the murderer before she becomes the next victim. Some of these things may be interconnected, and Josie’s investigation may reveal answers to other questions. Meanwhile, Josie’s personal life is at a crossroads; her husband has been offered an opportunity that could move them away from New Hampshire and Prescott’s Antiques.
I liked the book and enjoy the series. I recommend the book and the series to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder and antique-themed mysteries.
I liked the book and enjoy the series. I recommend the book and the series to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder and antique-themed mysteries.
December 21, 2021
Jane Austen's Lost Letters is a nice addition to the Josie Prescott Mysteries. A couple of murders and lots of intrigue, it was a fun read and, as usual when I'm reading a Jane K. Cleland book, I learned quite a bit about antiques - this time about letter forgeries. The reader doesn't need to start at the beginning of the series to enjoy the book (it works very well as a standalone), but it does help with character background. Well-written and very enjoyable! A+
March 27, 2022
Each time I read one of these Cleland mysteries about Josie Prescott, the owner of a successful antique business on the coast of New Hampshire, I learn so much about validating antiques. In this mystery, the letters of historical and literary giants are scrutinized for the typical standards of their era, paper, ink, foxing, but when an expert shares her research on the unique pressure points of all writers. that becomes a game changer. Even with a cast of returning characters and new suspects, the plot did not hold me. Nor did the story threads involving Josie's father, killed in the World Trade Center's 9/11 attack, and the mysterious woman who presents a box containing Jane Austen's letters to Josie. The details of uncovering forgery and establishing provenance, however, were fascinating to me.
August 1, 2025
Best of the series so far. A longer look into the TV show side story, more personnel bits & pieces, a series of crimes that flow better as clues are studied and either rejected or expanded upon, characters that stand out more fully and more tidbits of history through the antiques.
November 10, 2021
This advanced copy was provided by NetGalley.
Author and teacher, Jane Cleland is named after Jane Austen. This circumstance led her to hold Austen near and dear to her heart -- something she tells her students in the classroom or in webinars of which I've taken several. That said, this is the first novel of hers that I've read; I'm constantly referencing her book for writers on Mastering Suspense.
Determining which plot is the primary one is up to the reader. Cleland presents her protagonist Josie Prescott with a personal mystery connected to her business as an antiques appraiser/dealer with the character's strong binds to her deceased father. The other plots are forgery, two murders, and the attempted murder of Josie. Based on the inciting incident of a stranger named Veronica Sutton showing up at Josie's business, giving her a gift from her deceased father, and then disappearing -- it seems like that is the story Cleland would rather emphasize. Perhaps if you've been reading the Josie Prescott books all along, you would want that personal plot to lead the way as well. As a new reader, I was more interested in the forgeries and murders.
This story about Veronica Sutton brings up real life moral dilemmas about privacy. Everything can be found online. For Josie, she utilizes behind-the-scenes assistance from Wes, her reporter friend who gathers information in ways the police can't (no warrants needed). Readers are not bogged down with whatever those steps are only that Wes delivers the goods.
A unique characteristic about Josie and about Cleland's writing of cozy mysteries is that Josie is a proud gun owner. The topic is so controversial. Readers may not understand what life is like in New Hampshire, but it's nothing like California or New York. It would be odd if a character didn't grow up with firearms or hunting in their family even if they didn't take it up themselves. Josie is skilled with her weapon as her father taught her. On American television, crime fiction fans are used to agile, thin, capoeira expert, and crackshot characters that don't feel real. Josie feels like a real person who is a good shot and even gets wildly lucky at a critical juncture.
The one part of Josie that didn't feel real to me was her vernacular. Maybe it's because I'm not particularly worldly. Josie says things like, "Oh, golly." And her friend calls her pajamas "a nightie." Those sound like vintage 1950's terms. Josie even comes out with an old time saying, "we'll be in the catbird seat," which I've discussed in my case files. That saying comes from baseball announcer Red Barber who worked for various teams from 1934-1966. I've never heard anyone say it until I was researching catbirds.
There's a lot of build up to the forgery process given that on Josie's television show (Antiques Roadshow style), she has experts come on to defend whether an item is authentic such as a Beatrix Potter first printing. In this plot, three characters create tension. Gloria, a former supermodel turned Ph.D. document expert; Ivan, Gloria's assistant looking to make his name for himself in a similar authentication technique that launched her to success; and Oliver Crenshaw, an antiques shop owner with a shady past and uncontrollable mother.
Does all that build up and foreshadowing about forgeries pay off? Yes and no. The documents in question are given definitive conclusions, but it comes pouring out around the 87% mark (reading the digital ARC).
What about the murders and attempted murder? The suspect pool is small and readers get the chance to understand each motive clearly. Josie doesn't look outside the suspect pool and ends up with a completely different culprit with a motive not nearly as strong as the other candidates.
Since Josie is close personal friends with the police chief, Ellis Hunter, when he questions her officially, she answers with a lot of speculation. However, she admits it. Each time they go through an interrogation, she says that she's only guessing and making things up to connect dots. What's weird though is that some of these interviews take place with Josie in her hot tub. She's always putting on airs in every scene, but she doesn't grab a robe and get out of the hot tub to answer formal police questions while being video recorded.
Every author gets to do what they want in their own playground (their manuscripts). I've only pointed out my own criticisms as a New Jersey reader and writer myself to show what things I found odd for a contemporary cozy. Maybe all the quaint sayings are part of New Hampshire life. I would love to know! I always dreamed of living in New England and Josie and Ty's incredible beach house sounds like heaven. If that's the kind of literary escape you're looking for and you miss Cabot Cove, this series might be perfect for you.
Author and teacher, Jane Cleland is named after Jane Austen. This circumstance led her to hold Austen near and dear to her heart -- something she tells her students in the classroom or in webinars of which I've taken several. That said, this is the first novel of hers that I've read; I'm constantly referencing her book for writers on Mastering Suspense.
Determining which plot is the primary one is up to the reader. Cleland presents her protagonist Josie Prescott with a personal mystery connected to her business as an antiques appraiser/dealer with the character's strong binds to her deceased father. The other plots are forgery, two murders, and the attempted murder of Josie. Based on the inciting incident of a stranger named Veronica Sutton showing up at Josie's business, giving her a gift from her deceased father, and then disappearing -- it seems like that is the story Cleland would rather emphasize. Perhaps if you've been reading the Josie Prescott books all along, you would want that personal plot to lead the way as well. As a new reader, I was more interested in the forgeries and murders.
This story about Veronica Sutton brings up real life moral dilemmas about privacy. Everything can be found online. For Josie, she utilizes behind-the-scenes assistance from Wes, her reporter friend who gathers information in ways the police can't (no warrants needed). Readers are not bogged down with whatever those steps are only that Wes delivers the goods.
A unique characteristic about Josie and about Cleland's writing of cozy mysteries is that Josie is a proud gun owner. The topic is so controversial. Readers may not understand what life is like in New Hampshire, but it's nothing like California or New York. It would be odd if a character didn't grow up with firearms or hunting in their family even if they didn't take it up themselves. Josie is skilled with her weapon as her father taught her. On American television, crime fiction fans are used to agile, thin, capoeira expert, and crackshot characters that don't feel real. Josie feels like a real person who is a good shot and even gets wildly lucky at a critical juncture.
The one part of Josie that didn't feel real to me was her vernacular. Maybe it's because I'm not particularly worldly. Josie says things like, "Oh, golly." And her friend calls her pajamas "a nightie." Those sound like vintage 1950's terms. Josie even comes out with an old time saying, "we'll be in the catbird seat," which I've discussed in my case files. That saying comes from baseball announcer Red Barber who worked for various teams from 1934-1966. I've never heard anyone say it until I was researching catbirds.
There's a lot of build up to the forgery process given that on Josie's television show (Antiques Roadshow style), she has experts come on to defend whether an item is authentic such as a Beatrix Potter first printing. In this plot, three characters create tension. Gloria, a former supermodel turned Ph.D. document expert; Ivan, Gloria's assistant looking to make his name for himself in a similar authentication technique that launched her to success; and Oliver Crenshaw, an antiques shop owner with a shady past and uncontrollable mother.
Does all that build up and foreshadowing about forgeries pay off? Yes and no. The documents in question are given definitive conclusions, but it comes pouring out around the 87% mark (reading the digital ARC).
What about the murders and attempted murder? The suspect pool is small and readers get the chance to understand each motive clearly. Josie doesn't look outside the suspect pool and ends up with a completely different culprit with a motive not nearly as strong as the other candidates.
Since Josie is close personal friends with the police chief, Ellis Hunter, when he questions her officially, she answers with a lot of speculation. However, she admits it. Each time they go through an interrogation, she says that she's only guessing and making things up to connect dots. What's weird though is that some of these interviews take place with Josie in her hot tub. She's always putting on airs in every scene, but she doesn't grab a robe and get out of the hot tub to answer formal police questions while being video recorded.
Every author gets to do what they want in their own playground (their manuscripts). I've only pointed out my own criticisms as a New Jersey reader and writer myself to show what things I found odd for a contemporary cozy. Maybe all the quaint sayings are part of New Hampshire life. I would love to know! I always dreamed of living in New England and Josie and Ty's incredible beach house sounds like heaven. If that's the kind of literary escape you're looking for and you miss Cabot Cove, this series might be perfect for you.
February 23, 2022
SPOILER ALERT
Josie Prescott is in the middle of a "battle of the experts" on her Josie's Antiques TV show when a woman brings her a box that is from her late father, who had died in the 9/11 attack 20 years earlier. The woman refuses to do more than identify herself as Veronica Sutton and that she had known her father. Josie is determined to find the woman and get more information not just about her father's relationship with the woman but also about the two letters in the box signed by Jane Austen. She does find her with the help of Wes Smith, a reporter for the "Seacoast Star", but Veronica still refuses to tell her anything.
As the production goes on, one of the experts, Gloria Moreau, is murdered in the forest near the studio. Josie has noticed a strange man lurking about the property and decides to have their security company provide extra protection. Another murder, that of Ivan Filbert, Gloria's assistant, in his office on the Hitchins University campus, is obviously connected, and probably to the manner of determining authentication of signatures, for which Gloria had found a new method, and now Ivan was working on. Ivan had stolen the Jefferson letter that Gloria had purchased to determine forgery, and her notes. All of the notes and the letter are missing.
Then Josie is shot at, and the stakes become higher. The completing expert Oliver Crenshaw is proved to be the forger, having been found to forge letters when he was a teenager. Gloria was ready to turn him into the Department Head. His mother, Rory, is a strong defender of his. Gloria's ex-boyfriend, Dutch Larkin, is identified as the man who was seen around the antiques business. They all are in line as suspects. Josie meets Ivan's ex-girlfriend, Heather Adler, when she calls to sell Ivan's books. The police chief Ellis Hunter heads up the investigation. Speculation is that the missing documents could be hidden in the books that Ivan had. They see a woman in CCTV footage and the tattoo that Heather has, a white "Be bold" links her to the shooting of Josie. She had been ambitious for the weak Ivan. She had then killed him when he guessed that she had killed Gloria. She thinks that Josie saw her when she came to Ivan's office and pushed Josie as she fled.
During the story Josie and Ty, her husband, struggle with the promotion he has been offered, if he will head all of the training for Homeland Security. He would have to live in D.C., and she tells him she would move with him. Neither of them wants to move, but the promotion is critical to his career. She proposes that he ask about teaching at Hitchins, and that he think about going for a PhD. Which he does. For the time being he is staying in New Hampshire. He has also put out feelers for a position with FEMA.
One of the letters her father had was a forgey by Oliver Crenshaw, one was authentic, and will bring in a large amount of money. When Veronica dies she leaves a letter for Josie and her diaries so that Josie can learn about their relationship. Veronica had promised Ryan Prescott that she would not reveal their relationship with Josie. He had been afraid she would judge him. It had started shortly after her mother had died. Later she is called again to the attorney's office and given another note. It reveals that they had a son Ryan B. for whom her children's clothing business had been named. She had given him the decision to reveal his existence and meet Josie if she agrees. They meet, and later he meets Ty.
I enjoyed the story for the most part, though the very detailed descriptions of the methods of determining signature authentification was tedious and difficult to understand at times.
Josie Prescott is in the middle of a "battle of the experts" on her Josie's Antiques TV show when a woman brings her a box that is from her late father, who had died in the 9/11 attack 20 years earlier. The woman refuses to do more than identify herself as Veronica Sutton and that she had known her father. Josie is determined to find the woman and get more information not just about her father's relationship with the woman but also about the two letters in the box signed by Jane Austen. She does find her with the help of Wes Smith, a reporter for the "Seacoast Star", but Veronica still refuses to tell her anything.
As the production goes on, one of the experts, Gloria Moreau, is murdered in the forest near the studio. Josie has noticed a strange man lurking about the property and decides to have their security company provide extra protection. Another murder, that of Ivan Filbert, Gloria's assistant, in his office on the Hitchins University campus, is obviously connected, and probably to the manner of determining authentication of signatures, for which Gloria had found a new method, and now Ivan was working on. Ivan had stolen the Jefferson letter that Gloria had purchased to determine forgery, and her notes. All of the notes and the letter are missing.
Then Josie is shot at, and the stakes become higher. The completing expert Oliver Crenshaw is proved to be the forger, having been found to forge letters when he was a teenager. Gloria was ready to turn him into the Department Head. His mother, Rory, is a strong defender of his. Gloria's ex-boyfriend, Dutch Larkin, is identified as the man who was seen around the antiques business. They all are in line as suspects. Josie meets Ivan's ex-girlfriend, Heather Adler, when she calls to sell Ivan's books. The police chief Ellis Hunter heads up the investigation. Speculation is that the missing documents could be hidden in the books that Ivan had. They see a woman in CCTV footage and the tattoo that Heather has, a white "Be bold" links her to the shooting of Josie. She had been ambitious for the weak Ivan. She had then killed him when he guessed that she had killed Gloria. She thinks that Josie saw her when she came to Ivan's office and pushed Josie as she fled.
During the story Josie and Ty, her husband, struggle with the promotion he has been offered, if he will head all of the training for Homeland Security. He would have to live in D.C., and she tells him she would move with him. Neither of them wants to move, but the promotion is critical to his career. She proposes that he ask about teaching at Hitchins, and that he think about going for a PhD. Which he does. For the time being he is staying in New Hampshire. He has also put out feelers for a position with FEMA.
One of the letters her father had was a forgey by Oliver Crenshaw, one was authentic, and will bring in a large amount of money. When Veronica dies she leaves a letter for Josie and her diaries so that Josie can learn about their relationship. Veronica had promised Ryan Prescott that she would not reveal their relationship with Josie. He had been afraid she would judge him. It had started shortly after her mother had died. Later she is called again to the attorney's office and given another note. It reveals that they had a son Ryan B. for whom her children's clothing business had been named. She had given him the decision to reveal his existence and meet Josie if she agrees. They meet, and later he meets Ty.
I enjoyed the story for the most part, though the very detailed descriptions of the methods of determining signature authentification was tedious and difficult to understand at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2025
[CAUTION: SPOILERS *MIGHT* BE AHEAD]
Josie Prescott, antiques dealer in Rocky Point, New Hampshire; hosts a TV show called Josei's Antiques and is close with her TV staff and business staff. Strong and independent woman who is as smart as a whip. Fast thinking on her feet and an excellent shot with a gun haven been taught by her dad who died on Sept 11, 2001. Was a daddy's girl and always wanted to make sure she was protected. Married to a Homeland Security officer named Ty, their relationship is very supporting and loving, always there for each other. Timothy, Josie's show's director is always understanding of what she needs when it comes to the show and giving her her space as well when needed - close friendship. The TV staff are from NYC. There are three suspects to consider for the murders happening around Joz, who also deals and loosely works with a reporter named Wes, exchanging information. She's given a wide shoe box sized green box from a woman named Veronica "Ronnie" Sutton, who says she's an old friend of Ronnie's father who she later learns was his lover two-three months after her mom died, and then at the end, that they had a son together so she has a step brother who she barely meets in the end. Full of red herrings as Josie leads herself + the police namely the Police Chief, Ellis, her best friend, Zoe's, husband to solve the murders and why she was almost killed, finding out it was one of the suspect's ex-girlfriend who did the killing while he [Ivan} was a thief of his boss's (number one person murdered), Gloria's, work to make a name for himself. She [Gloria] with help from Josie also prove that a forger of documents from presidential to famous author's, was up to his old tricks again [Oliver] from when Gloria first caught wind of him when he was 15 years old. His mom tried to raise him right, but the dad intervened and allowed for the forgeries to go on. Find out that Josie's JA letters where purchased from O's shop, and only the letter to Fanny, her cousin, is authentic while the one to her sister, Cassandra, was the forged letter and copying the work and process Gloria was on the map for, Josie uses the technique to help the police find out it is Oliver.
[FUN FACTS]
** 0/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (steam rating) - the couple is very chaste, a lot of loving and communication BUT no "sexy steamy" times... :/
** Good character build up {had me guessing the killer all over the place], don't have to have read any other books in the series to read this one which is always a plus side. Good mystery solving as well as explaining the authentication process on antiques as well.
**Pgs.288
*Would Read Again? Probably if I didn't find what I was looking for - > ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
**11 HOUR Read (for me)
Josie Prescott, antiques dealer in Rocky Point, New Hampshire; hosts a TV show called Josei's Antiques and is close with her TV staff and business staff. Strong and independent woman who is as smart as a whip. Fast thinking on her feet and an excellent shot with a gun haven been taught by her dad who died on Sept 11, 2001. Was a daddy's girl and always wanted to make sure she was protected. Married to a Homeland Security officer named Ty, their relationship is very supporting and loving, always there for each other. Timothy, Josie's show's director is always understanding of what she needs when it comes to the show and giving her her space as well when needed - close friendship. The TV staff are from NYC. There are three suspects to consider for the murders happening around Joz, who also deals and loosely works with a reporter named Wes, exchanging information. She's given a wide shoe box sized green box from a woman named Veronica "Ronnie" Sutton, who says she's an old friend of Ronnie's father who she later learns was his lover two-three months after her mom died, and then at the end, that they had a son together so she has a step brother who she barely meets in the end. Full of red herrings as Josie leads herself + the police namely the Police Chief, Ellis, her best friend, Zoe's, husband to solve the murders and why she was almost killed, finding out it was one of the suspect's ex-girlfriend who did the killing while he [Ivan} was a thief of his boss's (number one person murdered), Gloria's, work to make a name for himself. She [Gloria] with help from Josie also prove that a forger of documents from presidential to famous author's, was up to his old tricks again [Oliver] from when Gloria first caught wind of him when he was 15 years old. His mom tried to raise him right, but the dad intervened and allowed for the forgeries to go on. Find out that Josie's JA letters where purchased from O's shop, and only the letter to Fanny, her cousin, is authentic while the one to her sister, Cassandra, was the forged letter and copying the work and process Gloria was on the map for, Josie uses the technique to help the police find out it is Oliver.
[FUN FACTS]
** 0/🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (steam rating) - the couple is very chaste, a lot of loving and communication BUT no "sexy steamy" times... :/
** Good character build up {had me guessing the killer all over the place], don't have to have read any other books in the series to read this one which is always a plus side. Good mystery solving as well as explaining the authentication process on antiques as well.
**Pgs.288
*Would Read Again? Probably if I didn't find what I was looking for - > ⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
**11 HOUR Read (for me)
February 28, 2022
Josie Prescott's mission, in this latest of the Josie series, is to determine whether two letters she received were really written by Jane Austen. As the owner of an antique shop and auction house, as well as host of a TV show, Josie has her work cut out for her.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and willingly followed the, sometimes, convoluted path it wound in solving the crime. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was the number of characters in the story. Each character, some of whom only appeared once or twice, were named, both first and surnames. I tried to keep track of all of them but felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume. When I came across a name which was important to the story, I couldn't remember who they were, or what their job was. For instance, when Fred and his thimbles came up again in the story, I couldn't remember him, or what they meant when they talked about thimbles. At first, I thought "thimbles" was a special kind of shot the director was taking for the TV show. Then I realized it referred back to something that was mentioned many characters before and really had nothing to do with the main action of the story. In fact, I didn't even remember who Fred was and had to go back to try to find when he was first mentioned.
I think the story would have been more interesting and kept my attention more if there were fewer named characters who I had to keep track of. Why did the receptionist at the college need to be named? Why did every police officer need to be named? A reference to their job would have sufficed and saved me the trouble of thinking they were vital to the story line and therefore needed to be named and remembered. Just too many tertiary characters vying for a five second spotlight in an already large cast of main and secondary characters.
There also seemed to be a number of story lines that had no bearing on the main plot line and didn't really move the book's plot along. The thimble story came and went with no conclusion or impact on the story. The same could be said of the young man's, I forget his name, thoughts about getting engaged. What purpose did that serve in the story? I felt these were a distraction to the reader. We expect plot diversions to lead somewhere, but these didn't. They were simply fillers that served no purpose.
I feel the story would have been stronger and more intriguing if the reader wasn't constantly pulled out of the main action to follow these tidbits down the rabbit hole. only to find a dead end. In looking over my notes, maybe I should adjust my rating to three stars, but the main story is intriguing enough to leave it at four. Let others decide for themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and willingly followed the, sometimes, convoluted path it wound in solving the crime. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was the number of characters in the story. Each character, some of whom only appeared once or twice, were named, both first and surnames. I tried to keep track of all of them but felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume. When I came across a name which was important to the story, I couldn't remember who they were, or what their job was. For instance, when Fred and his thimbles came up again in the story, I couldn't remember him, or what they meant when they talked about thimbles. At first, I thought "thimbles" was a special kind of shot the director was taking for the TV show. Then I realized it referred back to something that was mentioned many characters before and really had nothing to do with the main action of the story. In fact, I didn't even remember who Fred was and had to go back to try to find when he was first mentioned.
I think the story would have been more interesting and kept my attention more if there were fewer named characters who I had to keep track of. Why did the receptionist at the college need to be named? Why did every police officer need to be named? A reference to their job would have sufficed and saved me the trouble of thinking they were vital to the story line and therefore needed to be named and remembered. Just too many tertiary characters vying for a five second spotlight in an already large cast of main and secondary characters.
There also seemed to be a number of story lines that had no bearing on the main plot line and didn't really move the book's plot along. The thimble story came and went with no conclusion or impact on the story. The same could be said of the young man's, I forget his name, thoughts about getting engaged. What purpose did that serve in the story? I felt these were a distraction to the reader. We expect plot diversions to lead somewhere, but these didn't. They were simply fillers that served no purpose.
I feel the story would have been stronger and more intriguing if the reader wasn't constantly pulled out of the main action to follow these tidbits down the rabbit hole. only to find a dead end. In looking over my notes, maybe I should adjust my rating to three stars, but the main story is intriguing enough to leave it at four. Let others decide for themselves.
August 11, 2021
Wow! This book is phenomenal! It is intriguing, interesting, oh so cozy mysterious, full of twists and turns, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Jane Austen's Lost Letters", I put on my sleuthing hat to solve the many mysteries right along with the characters in this novel.
Firstly, what an absolutely incredible cover! I was immediately drawn to it, and love anything and everything related to Jane Austen, so, I just knew I needed to read this book!
This is the 14th book in Jane K. Cleland's "Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries" series! Ms. Cleland's writing style is gripping, enthralling, vivid, and truly hooks the reader from the first page to the last. Her passion for writing and the story she is telling is so clear, and, as the reader, I could not put this book down. I love the various aspects combined in this book: mystery, learning about antiques, research, etc. All of this makes for such an incredible read.
Josie Prescott is an "antiques appraiser", and has her own TV series, "Josie's Antiques", where other experts often come on to discuss various antiques. Soon, a lady named Veronica shows up, saying she is an old friend of Josie's father, who passed away. She hands Josie a box that contains two letters that seemingly are written by Jane Austen, in addition to a note from Josie's dad. Soon, while trying to figure out if the letters are authentic, Josie is pulled into more than one other mystery, including searching for Veronica, and murders. I do not want to spoil anything in this review, so, I will simply say, this book is a must-read! Who committed the murders? Who is Veronica? Are the letters really written by Jane Austen? Are these mysteries connected in any way? What does this have to do with Josie's father? You will just have to read to find out!
If you enjoy contemporary cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this book! It kept me turning the pages into the early hours of the morning to see what would happen next, and I look forward to reading what Jane K. Cleland writes next!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book, it is amazing! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Firstly, what an absolutely incredible cover! I was immediately drawn to it, and love anything and everything related to Jane Austen, so, I just knew I needed to read this book!
This is the 14th book in Jane K. Cleland's "Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries" series! Ms. Cleland's writing style is gripping, enthralling, vivid, and truly hooks the reader from the first page to the last. Her passion for writing and the story she is telling is so clear, and, as the reader, I could not put this book down. I love the various aspects combined in this book: mystery, learning about antiques, research, etc. All of this makes for such an incredible read.
Josie Prescott is an "antiques appraiser", and has her own TV series, "Josie's Antiques", where other experts often come on to discuss various antiques. Soon, a lady named Veronica shows up, saying she is an old friend of Josie's father, who passed away. She hands Josie a box that contains two letters that seemingly are written by Jane Austen, in addition to a note from Josie's dad. Soon, while trying to figure out if the letters are authentic, Josie is pulled into more than one other mystery, including searching for Veronica, and murders. I do not want to spoil anything in this review, so, I will simply say, this book is a must-read! Who committed the murders? Who is Veronica? Are the letters really written by Jane Austen? Are these mysteries connected in any way? What does this have to do with Josie's father? You will just have to read to find out!
If you enjoy contemporary cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this book! It kept me turning the pages into the early hours of the morning to see what would happen next, and I look forward to reading what Jane K. Cleland writes next!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book, it is amazing! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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